Kaduna community holds peace festival
NAN-H-36
Festival
By Mohammad Tijjani
Kaduna, May 27, 2017 [NAN] The Global Peace Foundation (GPF), an NGO, said on Saturday that Nigeria should exploit its diversity to strengthen sustainable peace and development in the country.
The Country Director, Mr John Oko, made the call during Maraban Rido Community Peace Festival in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
“For a sustainable peace we must respect the religion, culture and tradition of every society, we must hold peace as a tool for development,” he said.
The Director said the NGO’s message of “One Family Under God”, was to highlight the humanity in every citizen which should be the basis for mutual interaction and unity.
Also, Northern Co-ordinators of GPF, Rev Joseph Hayab and Sheikh Haliru Maraya, commended the community for organising the festival, saying it would ensure sustainable peace in the area.
They urged all communities in the state to respect the culture and religious beliefs of others so as to engender mutual respect.
“One of the basis of conflicts is the identity of faith or tribe; we must all do away with this to achieve peace and development.
“If we are united we can make work of the police, DSS, Military easy, so we must join hands to work for peace.
“In Kaduna we lost human lives and property because of crisis, we must all come together to end this for peace to reign.
“Building trust and understanding is key to peace and development,” the coordinators said.
NAN report that traditional, religious and youth leaders at the event, all agreed to the need for permanent peace in the society.
NAN report that 16 cultural groups from all parts of the country performed during the Marabar Rido Community Peace Festival. (NAN)
TJ/MZA
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Edited by Maharazu Ahmed